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Dahlia buds not opening

cindys6436cindys6436 Posts: 4
in Plants
I have searched and found some info on problems with dahlia buds not opening but they don't seem to be the same problem I'm having with my Mystic Dreamer dahlia.  I bought it in bloom and it looked great, but since then it forms buds that won't open.  There doesn't appear to be a problem with the buds,but the stem leading to the bud dries up and dies. The plant itself looks fine.  Any ideas?  I have only tried growing dahlias once before and the slugs/snails kept eating the blooms.  My current dahlia is in a well-draining container in full sun.Thanks for any help!

Posts

  • K67K67 Posts: 2,507
    edited June 2018
    Do you think you are mistaking spent flower buds for new ones? 
    What shape are the buds, round or pointy?
  • cindys6436cindys6436 Posts: 4
    The buds are round and definitely not spent buds because they weren't there when I bought the plant and there have been no new flowers since I've had it - just buds that look normal but the stem right below the bud withers away before it ever blooms.K67 said:
    Do you think you are mistaking spent flower buds for new ones? 
    What shape are the buds, round or pointy?

  • cindys6436cindys6436 Posts: 4
    Thanks Hazel 1 - it is really hot here in the Sacramento area of CA so  maybe I will try moving it to a spot where it won't get quite so much sun.  I think the pot is big enough but if things don't improve I'll try moving it to a bigger pot.   So far I haven''t had any problems with slugs/snails this year, but if I do i'll try pellets.  I generally don't use them because of my pets but I can put the pot up where they can't reach it if I have to.
  • cindys6436cindys6436 Posts: 4
    Thank you again, Hazel 1.  The plant looks healthy, straight and strong.  I have moved it to a shadier place and will see how it does there.  I got rid of all the dead buds and there are some new ones so I'll see what happens with them.  Hoping they bloom!
  • Cosmos01Cosmos01 Posts: 8
    K67 said:
    Do you think you are mistaking spent flower buds for new ones? 
    What shape are the buds, round or pointy?

    My buds start round, then change to pointy and do not open. :( Any ideas? Also as a new gardener any ideas on how to over winter the plant? Thank you
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